Things to do around Israel, March 11-17, 2016

Your guide to exhibits, tours and other attractions around Israel.

Haaretz |
Mar. 10, 2016 | 9:50 PM

TEL AVIV AND CENTER

Let the Animals Live

The animal organization celebrates 30 years with an adoption day event, including live musical performances, children’s story time and more. Fri 11.00-15.00. Hatachana: The New Station Compound. Details: www.letlive.org.il

Women Time

Every Saturday in March, selected films, featuring women and women filmmakers, will be screened (some in the presence of the directors) at the Sarona complex in Tel Aviv. This week: the 2014 Israeli film “Probation Time,” directed by Avigail Sperber. The film follows Avigail’s religious family and their adopted Ethiopian daughter (with English subtitles). Sat at 20.00. Sarona complex, 3 Kalman Magen St., Tel Aviv

Good Deeds Day

This annual one-day event brings thousands of volunteers together to improve the lives of others and positively change the world around them. Special activities will take place on Tuesday in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Ashkelon, Acre, Migdal Haemek, Kiryat Malakhi, Tamra and Ma’ale Adumim. These include: Professionals from various fields will sit on public benches on Tel Aviv’s Rothschild Blvd. and offer advice to passersby on the following topics: photography, childbirth, real estate, nutrition, finance, marketing and more. From 15.00-18.00; Family art workshop: Babushka doll-making. From 16.30-19.30; Story time for the entire family at 16.30; Yoga for parents and kids at 17.30; Meditation at 18.00; Closing lecture at 20.00. All activities taking place on Rothschild Blvd. Details: http://www.good-deeds-day.org.il/events

Celebrating the life and legacy of the assassinated prime minister, the center and its museum combine Rabin’s personal story with the development of the burgeoning Jewish State of Israel. Activities include guided historical tours, and educational workshops on such ideas as democracy and remembrance. Fri 09.00-12.30; Sun, Mon, Wed 09.00-15.30; Tues, Thur 09.00-17.30. 8 Haim Levanon St., Ramat Aviv *4585

JERUSALEM AND AREA

Tower of David Museum

On Tuesday, the museum hosts new activities inspired by the annual Good Deeds Day event (see Tel Aviv), as well as building, playing and coding workshops for the entire family. Closing ceremony includes the children’s show “Danny travels in Jerusalem.” Tues 16.00-19.00. Regular offerings: Home to the Museum of the History of Jerusalem, the Tower of David features a permanent exhibit about the city’s history and its significance to three religions. The tower itself is an archaeological site and offers a 360-degree view of the Old City of Jerusalem. It also stages temporary exhibits that connect ancient history with contemporary themes, and hosts lectures, guided tours and other cultural events. The Night Spectacular A night show presenting the history of Jerusalem, with images projected onto the walls, bridges and hidden pathways of the ancient citadel. Sat, Wed, Thur 19.00, 20.00; Mon 18.30, 19.30. Museum hours: Fri 09.00-14.00; Sat, Sun-Thur 09.00-16.00. www.towerofdavid.org.il

Yad Vashem

Established as the world center for documentation, research, education and commemoration of the Holocaust and home to the Holocaust History Museum, Yad Vashem also hosts activities and special events that connect intergenerational and international visitors to this institute for Holocaust research. The museum offers visitors a guided tour in English and presents a variety of important Survivors’ testimonies, personal diaries, artifacts and more. Special exhibit: Children in the Holocaust: Stars Without a Heaven The exhibit gives expression to the 1.5 million children who perished in the Holocaust and displays their stories. Mount of Remembrance, Har Hazikaron St., off Herzl St. (02) 644-3802. Museum hours: Fri 09.00-14.00; Sun-Wed 09.00-17.00; Thur 09.00-20.00

Herzl Museum

The museum provides details on the life and influence of Theodor Herzl, the founder of modern Zionism. At the entrance to Mt. Herzl. By appointment: (02) 632-1515

Natural exhibits of over 500 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates from around the world. Includes a children’s zoo with a petting corner, animal feeding demonstrations, educational activities and the Noah’s Ark sculpture garden. Among the activities: Selfie with Thai Elephants Every Friday at 13.30 a raffle drawing for a chance to feed and pet the elephants. Proceeds from the draw go to support an elephant sanctuary in Thailand. Fri 09.00-16.30; Sat 10.00-18.00; Sun-Thur 09.00-18.00. Biblical Zoo, 1, Derech Aharon Shulov. (02) 675-0111

Mini Israel

Over 350 miniature replicas of historical, religious, archaeological and modern sites and buildings from around the country. Guided tours by appointment. Fri and holiday eves 10.00-14.00; Sat, Sun-Thur 10.00-17.00. Location at Latrun 1-700-559-559, www.minisrael.co.il

Bloomfield Science Museum

Star Path is a series of new experiments and workshops based on outer space throughout the museum. Among the activities: Go Like A Rocket Is a scientific demonstration led by an expert staff member who will launch a carrot, fire and even electric rockets and answer questions like “How are giant spaceships and rockets launched into space?” and “Why don’t they fall or get lost?”; Galaxy Family Invites the entire family to design and construct their own solar systems and build planets out of recycled materials; Launch Pad Are experiments involving wind and aerodynamics; Mars (Above and Beyond) Demonstrations on the possibility for life on Mars (only weekends); A Star is Born A dramatized tour through the museum’s exhibits. Learn about galaxies, launch planes and more; and NASA film screenings, in English. Fri and holiday eves 10.00-14.00; Sat and holidays 10.00-15.00; Mon-Thur 10.00-18.00. www.mada.org.il

Home to the Hospitaller Fortress (Knights’ Hall), the Old City of Acre presents a series of medieval-themed activities based at the hall that includes candlelight dinners, costumed entertainers and actors (from Akko Theater), singing, dancing and a tournament of knights jousting on horseback. Special host, played by an actor, King Richard the Lionheart, who headed the Christian armies and re-conquered Acre during the Crusades, will attend each dinner and entertain guests. Tues, Thur at 19.00. 1 Weizmann St., Acre. Tickets: (04) 995-6708

The park is home to wildlife including kangaroos and koalas, with Aboriginal face-painting and guided koala and bat feedings. Fri 09.00-15.00, Sat 09.00-17.00, Sun-Thur 09.00-16.00. Australia Park, Kibbutz Nir David (04) 648-806, www.nirtours.co.il

Park of Springs

Explore the Park of Springs (Hamayanot) by foot or bicycle. The park includes springs, a stream, fishponds, heritage sites, migrating birds and agricultural areas. Open daily from 09.00-16.00. Near Kibbutz Nir David (04) 688-1427, www.nirtours.co.il

Learn about the life and migrating patterns of many different bird species, observe them as they land in the nearby lake and trees, and understand Israel’s vital role in many migrating birds’ flight plans and survival. Open daily, at all hours. Off the Arava Rd., from on Route 90 and then east on Route 109. Details: 050-767-1290, http://eilatbirds.com

Underwater Observatory Marine Park, Eilat

The park sits on the coral reef of the Red Sea, providing an up-close introduction to the fauna of the Gulf of Eilat, including over 800 species of fish, corals, mollusks, turtles, rays and more. The park’s shark pool is home to 18 shark species, and offers an underwater observation tunnel, activities and displays. Additional attractions include the open-sea underwater observatory, aquariums, the Amazon Cabin (featuring fauna from the Amazon River), animal feedings, glass-bottomed boat cruises, 3D educational films and more. Daily, 08.30-16.00. Coral (Almog) Beach, Eilat (08) 636-4200, www.coralworld.co.il/en